US Visa OFC Appointment: Complete Guide for Indians (2026)

To book a US visa OFC (Offsite Facilitation Centre) appointment in India, log in to ustraveldocs.com with your DS-160 confirmation number, select your city (Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Delhi, or Kolkata), choose an available date, and pay the ₹18,550 MRV fee. The process takes 10–15 minutes. Current wait times: Mumbai 200+ days, Chennai ~150 days for B1/B2 as of mid-2026.

Need help with your OFC appointment? Chat free on WhatsApp →

What Is an OFC Appointment?

If you are applying for a US non-immigrant visa from India, you will notice that the CGI Federal appointment portal asks you to book two separate appointments: an OFC appointment and a visa interview appointment. Many first-time applicants are confused by this — they wonder if it is an extra fee, an extra hurdle, or something they can skip.

OFC stands for Off-site Facilitation Center. It is a dedicated center, separate from the US consulate, where biometric data is collected from visa applicants. Specifically, this means your ten fingerprints (using a digital scanner) and a digital photograph. The OFC appointment is a mandatory part of the US visa process for most applicants and must be completed before your actual visa interview at the consulate.

The US Embassy and Consulates in India outsource this biometric collection step to a third-party service provider — currently CGI Federal — which operates OFC centers in major Indian cities. This off-site model allows the consulate to focus its resources on visa interviews and adjudication while the OFC handles the time-consuming biometric collection separately.

Why Is the OFC Appointment Required?

The United States requires biometric data — fingerprints and photographs — from all visa applicants as part of its border security framework. This data is checked against multiple US government databases, including security watch lists, immigration records, and law enforcement databases, before your visa is issued.

Collecting biometrics at a separate OFC center rather than at the consulate itself serves two purposes. First, it reduces congestion at the consulate, which is already handling hundreds of interviews daily. Second, it allows the biometric data to be processed and verified in advance, so that by the time you arrive for your visa interview, the officer can focus entirely on your application rather than waiting for database checks to complete.

For applicants, the OFC appointment is a straightforward, low-stress step. There is no interview at the OFC center. Staff will not ask you questions about your travel purpose or finances. The entire process is procedural — collect fingerprints, take a photo, and you are done.

How to Book Your OFC Appointment on the CGI Federal Portal

Booking your OFC appointment is done through the official US visa appointment portal managed by CGI Federal. Here is the step-by-step process:

1. Complete your DS-160 form first. Before you can book any appointment, you must complete and submit the DS-160 online application form at ceac.state.gov. Save your confirmation barcode number — you will need it to create your CGI Federal account.
2. Pay the MRV visa application fee. The non-refundable visa fee (currently $185 for B1/B2) must be paid before you can access the appointment portal. In India, payment is typically made via a Demand Draft or through designated bank portals. Keep your fee receipt handy.
3. Create your CGI Federal account. Visit ustraveldocs.com/in and create a profile using your passport number, MRV fee receipt details, and DS-160 barcode. Each applicant in a family group needs their own account.
4. Choose your visa category and consulate location. Select the appropriate visa category (B1/B2, F1, H1B, etc.) and choose which US Consulate you want to attend for your interview (Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, or Kolkata).
5. Schedule the OFC appointment. The portal will prompt you to schedule the OFC appointment first. Select your preferred OFC city and choose from the available dates and time slots. OFC centers have broader availability than consulate interview slots, so this step is usually quick.
6. Schedule the visa interview appointment. After confirming your OFC appointment, you will proceed to book your consulate interview appointment. This must be on a date after your OFC appointment. Choose the earliest available date that works for you — or use a slot monitoring service like ours to get the best possible date.
7. Print both confirmation letters. Once both appointments are confirmed, print the OFC appointment confirmation letter and the consulate interview confirmation letter. You will need to carry both on their respective days.

OFC Locations in India

As of 2026, US visa OFC centers are operational in five cities across India. Each OFC center serves applicants who have booked their consulate interview at the corresponding US Consulate or Embassy:

Mumbai OFC

The Mumbai OFC serves the largest volume of applicants in India, given Mumbai's status as a major metropolitan hub. It serves applicants who have their interview scheduled at the US Consulate General in Mumbai (the most common consulate for applicants from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, and Madhya Pradesh). The OFC is located in the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) area. Appointment slots are available Monday through Friday during regular business hours.

New Delhi OFC

The New Delhi OFC serves applicants scheduled at the US Embassy in New Delhi, which handles the largest diplomatic workload in India. It caters to applicants from Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and other north Indian states. The OFC is located in the Connaught Place or nearby central Delhi area.

Chennai OFC

The Chennai OFC serves applicants whose interview is booked at the US Consulate General in Chennai. This consulate is popular among applicants from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Kerala, and also handles a large volume of F1 student visas and H1B stamping cases from South India.

Hyderabad OFC

The Hyderabad OFC serves applicants at the US Consulate General in Hyderabad, which covers Telangana and parts of Andhra Pradesh. Hyderabad is notable for handling a very high volume of H1B and employment-based visa applications given the city's significant IT and technology sector workforce.

Kolkata OFC

The Kolkata OFC serves applicants at the US Consulate General in Kolkata, covering West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, the northeastern states, and parts of Northeast India. Appointment availability in Kolkata has historically been better than in Mumbai and Delhi.

What to Bring to Your OFC Appointment

The OFC appointment has a short, specific document requirement. Do not over-pack — you will not need your financial documents or employment letters at the OFC. Here is exactly what you need:

• Original passport — the same passport you used when booking the appointment. If you have recently renewed your passport, bring both the new and old passports.
• OFC appointment confirmation letter — printed copy of the OFC appointment confirmation from the CGI Federal portal. Some centers also accept a digital copy on your phone, but a printed copy is safer.
• DS-160 confirmation barcode page — the single page showing your DS-160 barcode and confirmation number. This connects your biometric data to your application.
• MRV fee receipt — proof that you have paid the visa application fee. Keep the original receipt or a clear printed copy.

What Happens at the OFC — Step by Step

Many applicants feel anxious about their first visit to the OFC center. Here is exactly what to expect so you can arrive calm and prepared:

1. Arrival and security check: Arrive 10–15 minutes before your scheduled time. You will pass through a basic security check — metal detector and bag screening. Electronic devices are typically stored outside or surrendered at the entrance.
2. Document verification at reception: A staff member will check your passport, appointment confirmation letter, and DS-160 barcode page. They will confirm your identity against the appointment record and direct you to a waiting area.
3. Fingerprint collection: When called, you will sit at a digital scanning station. A staff member will guide you through placing each finger (and then all four fingers of each hand simultaneously) on a scanner pad. The process is gentle and takes about 5 minutes. No ink is used — it is entirely digital.
4. Digital photograph: Immediately after fingerprints, a digital photo is taken. The photo standards are strict — neutral expression, face directly forward, no glasses. If your photo does not meet the standards, it will be retaken.
5. Confirmation and exit: Once biometrics are captured, you will receive a confirmation (sometimes just verbal, sometimes a stamped slip) and be free to leave. The entire process from entry to exit typically takes 20–40 minutes depending on crowd levels.

OFC vs Visa Interview — What Is the Difference?

This is one of the most common points of confusion for first-time US visa applicants from India. Here is a clear comparison:

• OFC Appointment: Held at a separate OFC center (not the consulate). Purely procedural — biometrics only. No questions about your visa application, finances, or travel plans. Takes 20–40 minutes. Low stress. You carry only basic documents. No visa decision is made here.
• Consulate Interview: Held at the US Embassy or Consulate General. A US consular officer interviews you and makes the visa decision. You present your full document set. Questions about your travel purpose, financial stability, employment, ties to India, and intent to return are asked. This is where the visa is approved or denied.

In short: the OFC is a bureaucratic biometric step; the consulate interview is where your visa fate is decided. Prepare thoroughly for your consulate interview — but do not worry about the OFC appointment at all.

How Long Does the OFC Process Take?

The biometric collection itself takes approximately 10–20 minutes at the station. With arrival, security, check-in, waiting time, and exit, plan for a total of 30–45 minutes at the OFC center during off-peak hours. During busy morning slots or peak travel seasons, total wait time can stretch to 60–90 minutes. Afternoon slots tend to be less crowded.

After your OFC visit, the biometric data is processed and synced with your consulate file within 24–72 hours. This is why it is important to schedule your OFC appointment at least 5–7 days before your consulate interview — not the day before.

Common Mistakes to Avoid at the OFC

• Booking OFC on the same day or day before the interview: The system may allow it, but the biometric data needs time to sync. Always keep at least 5 days between OFC and interview.
• Arriving without a printed confirmation letter: Some centers accept digital copies, but many do not. Always print your confirmation letter to avoid being turned away.
• Wearing nail polish: Heavy nail polish on all fingers can sometimes interfere with fingerprint scanning quality. Avoid wearing it on the day of your OFC appointment.
• Bringing electronic devices inside: Phones, smartwatches, and laptops are generally not allowed inside the center. Arrange for a companion to wait outside or check the specific OFC's storage policy in advance.
• Using a different passport than the one registered: Your appointment is tied to a specific passport number. Always use the passport you registered with when booking. If you have renewed your passport since booking, contact CGI Federal before your appointment.
• Forgetting to bring all old passports: While the OFC only requires your current passport, it is good practice to carry all old passports as they will be needed at the consulate interview. Start the habit early.

For complete end-to-end US visa assistance — from DS-160 to interview preparation — speak with our US visa consultant who has guided 20,000+ travelers through the process since 2007.